Ky. Baptists give $22.6M to support missions, highest total since Great Recession

Kentucky Baptist Convention Executive Director Paul Chitwood says the state's 2,400 churches have given the largest amount through the Cooperative Program to support missions since the Great Recession. (Kentucky Today/Robin Cornetet)

Posted
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 10:46 am

By ROGER ALFORD, Kentucky Today

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) – Kentucky Baptists gave more than $22.6 million over the past year through the Cooperative Program to cover the cost of missionaries and ministries taking the gospel to the world.

Kentucky Baptist Convention Executive Director Paul Chitwood called the level of giving “astounding,” saying it was nearly $1 million more than the previous year and $650,000 more than had been budgeted.

“I am continually amazed by the generosity of Kentucky Baptists when it comes to supporting missionaries who are working so diligently to share the good news of Christ in places that the average congregation wouldn’t have the opportunity to reach working alone,” Chitwood said. “Working together, they are part of providing full support to 3,600 international missionaries, and assistance to 10,000 North American missionaries and nearly 100 missionaries serving in Kentucky.”

Total Cooperative Program receipts from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31 reached $22,653,836, up from $21,678,271 the previous year. The level of giving through the Cooperative Program for the 12-month period reached a prerecession high.

The Cooperative Program is the primary means through which nearly 750,000 Kentucky Baptists in 2,400 churches support the work of missionaries in the state, across the country and around the world.

Total giving for missions over the past year surpassed $31 million when contributions were factored in from three special offerings. Churches gave more than $5 million through the Lottie Moon offering for international missions, $2.3 million through the Annie Armstrong offering for North American missions, and more than $1.1 million for the Eliza Broadus offering for state missions.

“This shows Kentucky Baptists remain committed to reaching Kentucky and the world for Christ,” Chitwood said.